Potential Neutrogena Class Action
Have you purchased the Neutrogena Light Therapy Mask? If so, then you may be aware that your
activator wand only lasts up to 30 uses, then off to the store you must go to buy a new one. This is not only expensive but misleading and wasteful- as a forming class action suggests. In fact, despite many consumers seemingly loving the results from the product- an overwhelming 27% of reviews on Amazon.com (as a singular example) rate the device with only one star of a potential five- with many of the complaints being centered around the "milking" of customers for an extra $15 every month to replace the activator.
I've attached a few examples I was able to find quickly on Amazon:
One complaint outlined that the consumer was simply fiddling with the device to acclimate herself to it, and she lost usage time. Certainly it isn't unreasonable for a company to expect some level of pre-use familiarization- which may include turning the device on and off a few times to understand how it works. This seems like the facial care equivalent of pay-per-minute calling.
Why would Neutrogena think it was good business practice to create an electronic that is designed to be discarded every month- not only causing unnecessary spending from their loyal customers, but absolutely inexcusable waste to the environment? Several complaints seem to spell it out: Padding their bottom line. Many feel this is simply Neutrogena's way to take advantage of their customers. Use of strong words such as "ripoff", "unethical", and "scam" can be seen in many of the negative reviews. Some just claim that marketing and packaging didn't make it clear to the consumer just how often they'd be needing to replace the activator wands.
Neutrogena will undoubtedly defend the comments about their environmental irresponsibility by reminding us that there is a recycling program in place for the devices- should the customer feel inclined to pay to send it to them... after they paid for a new activator... and another... and another.
To get involved with this complaint, visit the consumer activist group by clicking HERE